This Week at 51 Main

Ed Thorndike & Earle Provin, Thursday, February 25, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

Born in 1959 in Boston, Edward Duncan Thorndike grew up in Dedham, MA and the coast of Maine.  He ran away to the Florida Keys and lived on Martha’s Vineyard until finally moving to Benson, Vermont twenty years ago. He is now  a carpenter, painter and gardener.  He is currently finishing his own solar powered home.

Thorndike recently reunited with Earle Provin to perform blues and ballads on guitar and mandolin.

Earle Provin was born in 1970.  His mother a seamstress and father a motorcycle mechanic.  The youngest of nine children, he began taking guitar lessons at the age of 10.  His interest in guitar lead to playing in alternate tunings and finally playing mandolin as well. Earle is co-owner of Graph-X Inc. located on Exchange Street in Middlebury, where he produces teeshirts, signs and vehicle graphics among other things.

Verbal Onslaught ft. Philip Hamilton ‘82, Friday, February 26, 8:00 – 11:00 pm

Verbal Onslaught presents a special Black History Month edition featuring Philip Hamilton ‘82. His solo performances challenge audiences to redefine the voice and celebrate its limitless potential. The Village Voice noted of a recent Hamilton performance, “Hamilton’s masterful voice…presented a tapestry of vocal and musical wonders.” His larger ensembles also cross musical boundaries as they take listeners on journeys inspired by the blues, rock, jazz, classical, as well as sounds from around the world. His ensembles, both live and in the studio, have featured some of the music world’s best and brightest performers including Greg Osby, Chieli Minucci, John Medeski, Matt Garrison, Bill Evans, Mike Manieri, Richard Bona, Gil Goldstein, Ottmar Liebert and Vernon Reid.

They Might Be Gypsies, Saturday, February 27, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

They Might Be Gypsies is the high energy Gypsy swing guitars of father & son Greg & Aidan Ryan. These two have to be seen to be believed…  A gypsy at heart, Greg grew up traveling the country and playing music with his family. He draws from influences including Folk, Jazz, Bluegrass, & World Music. Young Aidan has been performing since he was six and has recorded two CD’s of original music.